Nova Scotia raises minimum wage by measly 15 cents

Nova Scotia will go from the lowest to the second lowest minimum wage in Canada with a 15 cent increase to $11 an hour on April 1, 2018.

“It is certainly nothing to be proud of and shows just how out of touch Premier Stephen McNeil and his government are with low-wage workers in the province,” said Lana Payne, Atlantic Regional Director.

As a result of the increase, Saskatchewan will soon hold the shameful honor of lowest minimum wage in the country with its $10.96 an hour rate. Nova Scotia will be tied for second worst along with New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador at $11. In addition, Nova Scotia workers with less than three months’ experience will be treated differently and paid an even lower wage of $10.50 an hour.

“When we see Alberta and soon Ontario bring the minimum wage to $15 an hour, McNeil’s 15 cents is just another insult to workers who have been under attack in this province,” said Payne. “We know that increasing the minimum wage is good for workers and the economy and especially helps women workers who make up the majority of minimum wage workers.”

Unifor is committed to working with community groups, other unions and activists in the labour movement on the $15 and fair campaign in the province.

Although the province has agreed to let a joint union and government Minimum Wage Committee review the current formula for adjusting the minimum wage, the Nova Scotia New Democrats are the only party to have supported the idea of $15 and fairness.